face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās 

1

: within each other's sight or presence

met and talked face-to-face

a face-to-face consultation

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

came face-to-face with the problem

Synonyms of face-to-face

• personally

Examples of face-to-face in a Sentence

I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, the showrunners found Barrera and Daniel’s interactions so intriguing that scenes were rewritten to bring the two women face-to-face. —Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025

The face-to-face consultation is where the detailed planning happens. —Wyles Daniel, Freep.com, 25 Nov. 2025

This is especially true when El uses Max’s mind as a way to piggyback into a face-to-face with Vecna at the end of season four. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025

Furious, Casie confronted the recruiter face-to-face. —Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face-to-face

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace

Kids Definition

face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˌfās-tə-ˈfās

1

: within each other's close presence

met face-to-face

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

face-to-face with a crisis